The Gunsmith 385 by J. R. Roberts Page A

them after your friend?” Travis asked. “That they were supposed to kill him?”
    â€œThat’s what I want to find out.”
    â€œSo that’s why we’re followin’ him and not tryin’ to ride him down.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œWell, thanks for tellin’ me.”
    â€œI’ve been busy convincing myself,” Clint said, “so I suppose we’ll see when we get where we’re all going.”

THIRTY-ONE
    â€œYou know what I’m still tryin’ to figure?” Hastings asked Tom Barry.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œWhy you decided to hit that saloon.”
    Barry gave Hastings a momentary glance, then looked straight ahead.
    â€œI told you,” he said, “I figured there was some money there.”
    â€œMore than four thousand, right?”
    â€œA lot more.”
    Hastings fell silent.
    â€œWhy?” Barry asked. “What’s your problem?”
    Hastings hesitated, then said, “Your research is usually a lot better than that.”
    â€œEverybody makes mistakes.”
    â€œNot you, Tom,” Hastings said, “not unless you want to make a mistake.”
    â€œWhataya gettin’ at, Tracy?” Barry demanded.
    â€œNothin’,” Hastings said, “I’m just wonderin’, that’s all.”
    â€œWell, stop wonderin’,” Barry said. “That’s my advice to you.”
    â€œSure, Tom,” Hastings said, “whatever you say.”
    Â * * * 
    They were ten miles from Fort Worth when Tom Barry suddenly changed direction.
    Hastings noticed it, but did not speak until they had gone a few miles.
    He reined in.
    Barry continued on for a few yards before he stopped and turned.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?”
    â€œWhataya mean, ‘what’s wrong’?” Hastings asked. “We ain’t headed for Fort Worth anymore, Tom, that’s what’s wrong.”
    Barry rode back to stand beside Hastings.
    â€œWhat’s goin’ on?” Hastings asked.
    â€œYou wanna go to Fort Worth, go ahead,” Barry said.
    â€œI ain’t sayin’ that,” Hastings responded. “Just give me some idea what we’re doin’, Tom. Or if you’re gonna try to kill me like the others, go ahead. Draw down. Do it now.”
    Tom Barry stared at Hastings.
    â€œI ain’t gonna kill you, Tracy.”
    â€œThat’s good to hear,” Hastings said, “but where the hell are we goin’?”
    â€œJust follow me,” Barry said. “I’ll tell you when we get there. How’s that?”
    Hastings hesitated.
    â€œJust stick with me.”
    â€œYeah,” Hastings said after a moment, “okay. Go ahead, let’s go.”
    â€œYou won’t be sorry.”
    They started off again and rode the rest of the way in silence.
    Â * * * 
    They bypassed a town called Liberty, and Hastings didn’t question Barry again. As they approached a ranch, Hastings had an idea of what was happening.
    â€œThis is a big spread,” he said.
    â€œYeah, it is.”
    â€œSomebody who lives here has a lot of money.”
    â€œYeah, he does.”
    â€œSo that’s it?” Hastings asked. “You got hired to do this?”
    â€œYeah, I did.”
    â€œThat’s why you never seemed that upset about the four thousand,” Hastings said. “You’re gettin’ paid for this.”
    â€œWe’re gettin’ paid for this, Tracy,” Barry said. “There’s two of us.”
    â€œHow much?”
    â€œWait and see, my friend,” Barry said. “Wait and see. Come in, the man is waitin’.”

THIRTY-TWO
    â€œHere,” Travis said.
    Clint rode up alongside the younger man and looked down at the ground.
    â€œThey changed direction here,” Travis said.
    â€œSo they’re not going to Fort Worth.”
    â€œLooks like it.”
    â€œWhat are they up to?” Clint asked,